Blog
Key advantages of having an in-house Clinical Team for Dental Practices
Blog
Key advantages of having an in-house Clinical Team for Dental Practices
Blog
15 Mar, 2024

Mentoring and support are beneficial in dentistry for many reasons. They create a positive culture that facilitates knowledge-sharing and enhances teamwork, enabling individuals to grow and develop effectively. The ultimate impact is improved patient care and treatment outcomes, as well as greater job satisfaction for clinicians.

Dentists across Clyde Munro are supported in every possible way, ensuring that they have the equipment, training and clinical support they need to deliver exceptional patient care and thrive in their careers. Part of the organisation’s commitment to professional support is the expansion of a dedicated Clinical Support Team.

Having recently grown, this team is available for dentists across Scotland to contact with case-specific queries, career development questions or any other questions relating to the clinical care provided to patients. The goal is for the Clinical Support team to bridge the gap between those in practice and those in operational and administrative positions, ensuring synergy throughout the organisation for the benefit of our patients and our professionals. 

The team consists of practising clinicians who have extensive experience in dentistry. They also all have different skills and clinical backgrounds, meaning they have a diverse range of experiences and areas of interest to draw on as they help colleagues in their endeavours.

Leading them is Callum Graham, Clinical Director at Clyde Munro. He says:

“Mentoring and support are very important for dentists at all stages of their careers. From early careers to experienced dentists, the Clinical Support Team can help with treatment planning for everything from endodontics to orthodontics, routine care, implants and more. We are a clinical business that is clinically driven, so we need that peer-to-peer contact to provide help, support and encouragement to dentists should they want it. Having expanded our team recently, we now have more opportunity to connect with more clinicians across the group.

“With first-hand experience of the challenges and nuances of dentistry today, we are well-placed to offer appropriate guidance and support for peers. I have been fortunate enough to be involved with postgrad education, to trial new techniques and try innovative technologies – and I absolutely loved the variety. I want to help instil this ethos and passion for dentistry across the group. There are so many great dentists out there and so much innovation with the digital revolution, this is an exciting time to be involved and I want to help as many people as possible to get the most from it all.”

Mr Charlie Evans also advocates for the opportunity to share knowledge, discuss problems, and help each other, saying:

“To be able to share concerns, promote successes and be on hand to offer second opinions to varying clinical situations is important, whatever stage of their career a clinician is at. Dentistry can be isolating, even when you are in a large team, so external clinical support, feedback and review should be encouraged. 

“During my time as a practice owner, I felt it was important to provide stability within the practice team. This brought familiarity for the patients, building their trust and therefore increasing productivity and enjoyment for the dental team. I aim to bring these qualities to my role in the Clinical Support team.”

A colleague who received mentoring and support from Charlie, commented:

“As my vocational trainer, I found Charlie supportive and approachable. He was a very good communicator and used this to share his extensive knowledge in all areas of general dental practice. I left my training post feeling well prepared for associate dentistry.”

Several individuals on the Clinical Support Team offer many years of experience from different areas, ensuring that they can help peers with a vast range of challenges and queries. Dr David McColl brings more than 37 years of experience working within NHS dentistry to his role on the Clinical Support Team. He details a recent example of how he’s helped a colleague:

“One of our experienced dentists and I recently had a discussion regarding a challenging case. We were faced with a high caries rate, loss of posterior support, the recent loss of an anterior tooth and upper denture provision. The patient was not adapting well to the denture and had requested an upper anterior bridge. The conditions for such a bridge were far from ideal and an implant was not an option due to affordability. Discussion on case management, patient expectation and what would be deliverable under the NHS enabled a way forward in this challenging situation.

“I’m very happy to help practitioners find their way through the complex system under which we operate within the NHS as part of the Clyde Munro Clinical Support Team.”

Bruce Duguid also has decades of experience, having worked in dentistry for 28 years and with Clyde Munro for about 2 years. He highlights the benefit of having access to support within an extensive network of professionals:

” The biggest reason I enjoy working with Clyde Munro is the huge support network available. It’s a very large family of dentists, rather than an isolated group of practitioners.

Dentistry can be a very lonely and isolated profession – although you are surrounded by people in surgery throughout the day, you’re often working on your own and solely responsible for your patients’ care. As such, it’s nice to have other professionals to reach out to and get support from if needed. That’s why I was more than happy to join the Clinical Support Team.

With a background in teaching – both in dentistry and aviation – I appreciate and really enjoy being able to mentor and engage with students and young dentists. Helping to create a network of support for dentists at Clyde Munro is quite unique and something that will stand us in good stead as dental care providers going forwards.”

Further demonstrating the breadth of expertise that professionals can access by contacting the Clinical Support Team, Mary Smith offers valuable advice regarding complaints handling and compliance. She comments:

“The key aspect of my role on the Clinical Support Team is to help clinicians and practice managers to handle complaints. It is crucial that professionals realise there is an entire support team here ready and willing to help with any aspect of any issue that arises. No-one has to go it alone! I also aid practices with their compliance, including with regards to clinical audits and ensuring that associates stay up to date with the necessary certification. You can always pick up the phone and speak to someone for guidance.”

We are proud of the supportive culture we have built across Clyde Munro and strive to maintain this reputation for many years to come. Our Clinical Support Team is just one example of how we make sure we’re here for our professionals – discover other ways we help by contacting the team!

If you are looking to become part of our supportive network, view our career opportunities today!

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Whatever part you play in caring for our patients, it’s a job with incredible possibilities. In terms of personal rewards, professional growth and community impact, it’s everything youd expect from a national leader. Join us and make it all part of your future.

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